Carolyn Thomas: Thank you. Sorry, I was hoping to come in as a supplementary on Laura Jones's question, so I'm just trying to find my right place. Thank you very much. I'm very pleased to hear of the extra capital funding that's coming forward this year for highway maintenance—
Carolyn Thomas: Sorry, can I declare that I'm a Flintshire county councillor? Thank you.
Carolyn Thomas: Okay. Thank you very much.
Carolyn Thomas: 4. How does the Welsh Government ensure fair funding for local authorities across north Wales? OQ57558
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer, Minister. It's often raised with me that the funding formula for local authorities needs addressing. I think it's been raised here quite a few times as well. For the last few years, the debate has gone round and round in circles, with council leaders writing to Welsh Government, Welsh Government then saying the Welsh Local Government Association need to agree as a...
Carolyn Thomas: 9. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for the sustainable farming scheme? OQ57559
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I've been contacted by constituents who raise the fact that, at present, public rights of way are not part of our current cross-compliance for the current Welsh Government agricultural scheme. If the Welsh Government were to make public rights of way part of cross-compliance, it would really give the farming community an incentive to open and maintain...
Carolyn Thomas: 7. What conversations has the Welsh Government had with the retail sector about improving energy efficiency towards zero carbon? OQ57627
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you, First Minister. I recently met with Friends of the Earth regarding encouraging supermarkets to retrofit doors on fridges and freezers, or ensure that they have doors on when they are upgraded. I understand that the Petitions Committee discussed this in the last Senedd term, and some supermarkets responded to say they believed it would affect consumers' impulsive purchasing. I think...
Carolyn Thomas: May I please declare I'm a Flintshire county councillor? The 9.4 per cent uplift to local authorities in Wales is welcome, as is the three-year budget, which will help with planning. I am aware the provisional settlement in England provided a lower uplift of 6.9 per cent to councils, and with the assumption that they raise their council tax by the maximum permitted without a referendum. And...
Carolyn Thomas: I have long supported rent controls and I back any move to address the poverty caused by unreasonable rent increases. The UK's housing market has been in crisis for decades. The fundamental foundations of the system have been broken. The idea that everybody should be entitled to a roof over their head, like so many other areas of our economy, is now subordinated to the whims of market forces...
Carolyn Thomas: When I travel along north Wales, either by rail or road, walk the coastal path or visit the beautiful seaside resorts, the view out to sea is of wind turbines, and those turbines are owned by German company RWE, who generate a third of all Wales's renewable electricity. They lease the land from the Crown Estate. BP have won the right to develop more wind turbines on the Irish sea after the...
Carolyn Thomas: First Minister, how do you think residents in the Vale of Clwyd will react knowing that Wales will be £1 billion worse off over the next three years as a result of a broken Conservative promise that we would not be a penny worse off?
Carolyn Thomas: Diolch, acting Presiding Officer. I must declare that I am a Flintshire county councillor. As such, I know that local authorities and their staff across Wales have such an important role, working with Welsh Government to deliver front-line services, aspiring for safe, clean and connected communities. Welsh local authorities must be adequately funded to enable them to deliver the high-quality...
Carolyn Thomas: 1. Will the First Minister provide an update on Welsh Government plans to improve digital connectivity in north Wales? OQ57754
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for the answer, First Minister. Digital connectivity has never been more important, and urgent action is needed to ensure no community is left behind. For broadband infrastructure to be cost-effective, it will need to be designed comprehensively with long-term benefits in mind that serve everyone. Communities right across north Wales, including rural Wales, are underserved by...
Carolyn Thomas: Diolch. Minister, I welcome the statement and message regarding growing a stronger, fairer, greener Wales by investing in people and developing skills and confidence. I think confidence is really important. I attended a very interesting presentation at the women's cross-party group, chaired by Siân Gwenllian, on a care-led recovery, which would generate more employment than investment in...
Carolyn Thomas: Please could I also declare that I am Flintshire county councillor? I will be standing down after 14 years in May. During the budget debates, we have discussed the importance of the public sector in delivering front-line services, contributing to the well-being of the nation and employing local people right across the region. And councils—. Sorry, I'm looking at the wrong thing here. Sorry,...
Carolyn Thomas: Sorry. I was nearly passing out before with a face mask on. If I take it off I can breathe again. Sorry. Please can I declare I'm a Flintshire county councillor? During the budget debates, we've discussed the importance of the public sector in delivering front-line services, contributing to the well-being of the nation, and I know across—. Sorry. Can I just give up?
Carolyn Thomas: Okay. Right. Sorry. Thank you. Okay. I declare I'm a Flintshire county councillor. During the budget debate, we've discussed the importance of the public sector in delivering front-line services, contributing to the well-being of the nation and employing local people. Along with the healthcare sector, the councils are one of the biggest employers, providing local jobs in local areas. And I am...
